Letter: Commissioners need more accountability

I agree with the concerns expressed in Sharon Ramirez’s World letter to the editor dated March 19, but do not agree with her intention to vote against the Coos County Public Safety measure on the November ballot.

I understand and share her concerns about the Coos County Commissioner Rod Taylor, who participated in the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. It may, however, be “cutting off the nose to spite the face” to vote against this safety measure.

I fully understand that two Commissioners have made false and/or misleading statements on a number of occasions that have generated distrust and propagated division. Rod Taylor and Bob Main must be watched closely and held accountable (and I plan to vote for Drew Farmer to replace Main in November).

I saw with interest the case of the Otero New Mexico County Commissioner who was disqualified from holding office due to his participation in the January 6thinsurrection. He was disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment (also known as the “Disqualification Clause”). The Supreme Court recently upheld this ruling, stating “we consider that States may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold office.”

Commissioner Taylor was arrested and pleaded guilty at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021. He is our elected and well-paid Commissioner, yet he espouses the notion that elections are “rigged”, and he recently spearheaded an effort to change election systems for Coos County and to change the County Clerk position from an elected to an appointed position (appointed by the Commissioners... surprise!). He has suggested that Coos County residents should not pay federal taxes, and railed against having the County using Federal and State funds (which are the source of the vast majority of the Counties operational funds).

I do not believe that Commissioner Taylor has beliefs and values consistent with the values of the majority of the residents in Coos County. I have utmost respect and appreciation for Commissioner John Sweet, who welcomes accountability and works hard for the benefit of all Coos County residents,

In my opinion, more accountability, and/or replacement is needed for the other two Commissioners.

Douglas Jones

Coos Bay